We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Sharon Jenkins a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Sharon, thanks for joining us today. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?

When I first tried to break into the publishing industry, I faced numerous challenges that motivated me to help others in similar situations. To find the right approach, I experimented with different types of publishing and marketing efforts. Although I attempted to collaborate with others, I quickly discovered that many were only interested in leveraging our connection for publicity. Looking back, I realize that I should have vetted potential collaborators more carefully and been more strategic in my business planning. However, my dedication to lifelong learning and background in education were incredibly beneficial as I built my business and author platform. Unfortunately, the traditional roadblocks for first-time authors and service providers sometimes hindered my progress in the industry.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I have had a diverse career as a writer, starting with poetry and moving on to playwriting before becoming an award-winning author, blogger, and podcaster. I have written a range of books and e-books on various topics related to writing, including time management, marketing, and publishing. My latest print releases, Are You a Super Author? and You Can Be a Super Author Too!, feature stories from experienced authorpreneurs, providing inspiration for aspiring writers looking to start a writing business. My latest release is the award-winning novella, The Untold Love Story.

I have also been featured on various blogs and platforms such as Huffington Post, The Good Men Project, and Self-Published Author, and host a podcast called Luminance where I highlight people making a positive impact in the world. Additionally, I serve on the board of the Brilliant Women in Film organization and have hosted multiple writers’ conferences across the country. I have also been a speaker at various national and local events, including the NAACP and Urban League conferences, WriterCon, and the Houston Writers Guild.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

As an entrepreneur, I have experienced my fair share of ups and downs. In my journey as a writer, I was taken aback by the challenges I faced at a writer’s conference. I had no clue how to pitch to agents or publishers, and I didn’t know that book proposals needed to be tailored to match their preferences. All of this left me feeling discouraged and disheartened about my writing career. However, my faith provided me with the strength and resilience I needed to overcome these obstacles. It wasn’t an easy journey, but it was worthwhile. Today, I use my experience to help others navigate the literary industry and create a strong author’s platform that stands out in the current market.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

I possess an inherent desire to assist people, but when I entered the business world, I realized that not everyone shared my altruistic sentiments. The competitive nature of the industry made it clear that only the fittest would survive. After much contemplation, I have successfully identified an entrepreneurial approach that aligns with my values and business objectives.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.superauthorgranny.com, www.mcwritingservices.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sharoncjenkins/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mcwritingservices
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharoncjenkins
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/Sharon_Jenkins

Image Credits
Photos by Ferrell E. Phelps